Policy Change Comes After Advocacy Push by Bipartisan Delegation of Mayors from Across the Country
Washington, D.C.— Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a critical policy change to expand access to veterans housing. The reform, which ensures veterans are not disqualified from housing assistance as a result of receiving disability benefits, is one that mayors have been focused on to help strengthen housing security across the country. Earlier this year, a delegation of mayors, led by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who serves as Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ (USCM) Homelessness Task Force, came to Washington to press for solutions to the housing and homelessness crisis. During these meetings, the bipartisan group advocated for this specific change in veteran eligibility with Acting Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Adrianne Todman. Welcoming this key achievement, USCM President Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther released the following statement:
“Our federal policy should support veterans, not work against them. And those who served our nation honorably should never go without a roof over their head. We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its action today and I’m grateful to Mayor Bass for leading a delegation to Washington earlier this year to push for this reform. Today’s action shows what is possible when we all work together. Mayors stand ready to keep working with our federal partners to drive these critical solutions as we build stronger, more resilient communities.”